Better late than never…Summing up 2013

All over the web, people have been sharing their wrap-ups of last year, and plans for this New Year. I really enjoyed reading the 2013 Roundup from Lily in Canada, with her witty responses to a questionnaire that came from tumblr, so although it is already the second week of January, here is my 2013 summary:

1: What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before? Started blogging!

2: Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t make resolutions, but I made many small improvements in my life in 2013 and will continue to do so in 2014.

3: Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, our daughter in law gave us our fourth granddaughter in March. And she is a joy!

4: Did anyone close to you die? No one close to me died, but acquaintances have died suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving gaping holes and unfulfilled dreams. The realization that we don’t know how long we have on this earth made me determined to find my true purpose and start living the life for which I was destined.

5: What countries did you visit? Just the US, and only a handful of states, immediately surrounding mine. It was a sad travel year for me, but I had to focus on getting my mother moved here due to her increasing dementia and inability to live independently any longer, and that took priority. Now that she is settled, 2014 will bring back motorcycle travel to my life!

6: What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? More riding and more travel.

7: What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? January 14th: We moved my mother from Florida to an assisted living facility near us. It literally changed my life; I became the “mother” in our relationship.

8: What was your biggest achievement of the year? Starting a blog!

9: What was your biggest failure? The fact that I allowed myself to occasionally wallow in my unhappiness with my day job. That cloud has lifted now that I have a timeline for exiting the corporate world.

10: Did you suffer illness or injury? I had a temporary scare with knee pain, due to trying to transition from walking to running. I have now come to my senses. 😀

11: What was the best thing you bought? A quarterly massage and I am targeting monthly in 2014.

12: Whose behavior merited celebration? My husband’s; he has been my rock during these very difficult times with my mother.

13: Whose behavior made you appalled? My mother’s “friend” of almost 30 years, who basically ducked and ran when her dementia was diagnosed.

14: Where did most of your money go? Groceries, wine, meals out. But it was worth it!

15: What did you get really, really, really excited about? My future; and allowing myself to be the person I always hoped I could be.

16: What song will always remind you of 2013? “Hold On” by Alabama Shakes

17: Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Happier, thinner, and richer, in both dollars and peace.

18: What do you wish you’d done more of? Writing, laughing, and yoga.

19: What do you wish you’d done less of? Wasting time, procrastinating, and worrying.

20: How did you spend Christmas? With my mother, sister and nephew for the first time in 7 or so years. And with my husband, of course, as well as, step-sons, daughters in law, granddaughters, and extended family!

23: Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Even though I sometimes catch myself saying “I hate *something*”, I don’t really hate any person. Hating takes so much energy that could be better spent.

24: What was the best book you read? A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.

29: What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Finally determining a direction for my future.

30: How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013? More fitted, unique, comfortable.

31: What kept you sane? My husband and my day dreaming.

32: Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I don’t really fancy public figures…

33: What political issue stirred you the most? Grrr, the political dysfunction by our elected officials this year made me say “I hate” more than anything else. I am taking the approach that if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

34: Who did you miss? My friends that are far away.

35: Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

36: Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. “In every life we have some trouble, when you worry you make it double, don’t worry, be happy” – Bob Marley

Did you look back over 2013 and do a summary? Share your blog links below so I can catch up on your year!

Love this! And you totally just reminded me to go listen to Alabama Shakes “Hold On” — gosh, I too have some very specific memories associated to that song. And… monthly massages? Dang. I need to do this.

I decided to do the massages because the tension builds up fast in dealing with my mom. Its very frustrating because every conversation happens over and over, and it is hard to constantly keep in mind that she cant help it, and there is no being logical with her or saying things like “I just told you that”; just constantly stressful. All the research I have done since her diagnosis has indicated that the stress of caring for someone with dementia can eventually cause dementia in the caregiver, so I am determined to fight the stress in whatever way possible! Thus the massages, yoga, trying to learn to meditate…just have to find the time!

Anyway, I havent even been true to my quarterly promise yet, so we will see how I do this year! Dang that was a long reply…

Curvy…how do I get you to see that your very struggles, written as they are now in the public realm, are in and of themselves so wonderfully releasing to those of us who may feel alone in our own similar struggles…in your struggles. You are not alone. Far from it, you are, in fact, an inspiration. 2014 is a year of consolidation and from there, who knows what will happen? Write on, I say, ride on!

You are so right, it is cathartic sharing our struggles in this wonderfully supportive blogging community, and somehow comforting to find we are not alone. I absolutely view 2014 as a transition year, full of learning, growth and promise. Writing, and riding, how can it not be a fabulous year? We are where we need to be at any given time…thanks for being a part of my new blogging world.

Wow, what great answers! Thanks for the nod! I love that Alabama Shakes song! Good choice. So sorry to hear about your mom. That must be so tough. She’s lucky to have a great daughter like you. So glad you started blogging! 😀

Lily, thank You! Your post inspired me to do it, and I so enjoyed your answers too! It is difficult with Mom, but the up side of it, and I need to write about this aspect, is that she is happier than I ever remember her being before dementia. I guess you have to look at the bright side…Thanks for the cheer and the follow!

Shelley, are you still in California? The whole west coast is on my bucket list…I have been there several times and traveled via car, but never on the bike. I would LOVE it! In a couple of years, look out! 😀

Oh. I needed that song quote today. I am in the beginning of many transitions and one key piece that will make all of the transitions smooth sailing is missing or taking its time and teaching me a valuable lesson in trust. I was starting to worry,but that does make everything harder. “Don’t worry, be happy” is my mantra today.

Lindsey, I am so glad that you found something that helped you today! I have read several of your pieces on your healing and transitions and you are so very honest about your struggles. I am sure you will come out of this a happier and healthier person. Be happy!

[…] life. I finally got around to doing my 2013 year in review on the 7th, and you can read that here: Summing up 2013. I was honored to receive a blog award in January from the now-famous Beth Teliho at Writer B Is […]